Biotechnology

Eurostat released its monthly estimates for industrial production for the 27 Member States.

Since 2004 the European Commission is present as exhibitor at the BIO Convention, an annual biotechnology event gathering more than 15.000 participants from over 60 countries worldwide.

The cheapest energy is the one we do not consume. The counting down has started to achieve Europe's 20% energy efficiency target for 2020. If nothing changes in the coming years, the EU will achieve only half of the target. This threatens our competitiveness, our fight to reduce CO₂ emissions and our security of supply. This is still a high cost for every consumer's bill. A new set of measures for increased Energy Efficiency has been proposed on 22 June by the European Commission to fill the gap and put back the EU on track.

The European Commission launched a consultation on new European rules for venture capital funds.

[p]The objective is to develop sector-specific guides on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights in three different sectors.[/p]

[p]The overall objective is to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to further develop their capacity in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), so enhancing the creation of shared value for their owners, other stakeholders and society at large.[/p] [p]The specific objective is to provide guidance for SMEs, and the people and organisations that advise them, on the issues of business and human rights, and to deepen the understanding of policy makers and other stakeholders of human rights from an SME perspective.[/p]

The European Commission proposes a series of legislative and non-legislative measures to develop more and faster standards. Standards are sets of voluntary technical and quality criteria for products, services and production processes. They help businesses work together and to save money for consumers.

Newly appointed Ms or Mr SME will advocate for the interests of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). Chiefly they will check the correct application of the EU law on SMEs and ensure that policies at national, regional and local level are enterprise friendly''.

Today Antonio Tajani announced the winner of the 5th edition of the European Enterprise Awards ceremony in Budapest. The entrepreneurship centre of the Barcelona Council, Activa was awarded the Grand Jury Prize selected for its innovative entrepreneurial support and training actions leading to the creation of 6,214 new businesses and 11,800 jobs.

The democratic uprisings that occurred in the Mediterranean area and the rightful claims of young people for jobs and a better future in these countries have made it clear that the EU needs to offer greater support to the region, both from a democratic and economic perspective.

The democratic uprisings that occurred in the Mediterranean area and the rightful claims of young people for jobs and a better future in these countries have made it clear that the EU needs to offer greater support to the region, both from a democratic and economic perspective.

The yearly European SME Week is a pan-European campaign designed to promote and support entrepreneurship. It showcases the support available to business at European, national, regional and local level. At events SMEs and micro-firms share experiences and develop their businesses. There is also a special focus on promoting entrepreneurship as a career option, especially for younger people. The registration of events for the European SME Week 2011 starts today as the new website for the campaign goes online. The registration of events will be open until 30 November 2011.

In the framework of the work of the High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain, the European Commission has commissioned a study to analyse the impact of private labels (retailers' own brands) on the competitiveness of the European food supply chain.